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Teacher Benefits

You are eligible for group benefits the first day of the month following the start of your contract if you are a member of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and an employee of the School District with a temporary, continuing part-time or continuing full-time teaching appointment.

Registered Teachers On Call can elect coverage under the basic medical (Medical Services Plan of B.C.), extended health benefits plan, dental plan, basic life insurance plan and the optional plans sponsored by the BCTF. The cost of the coverage under these plans is 100% paid by the employee.

Teachers and Teachers on Call must enroll for benefits within 31 days of the start date of the contract.

If you do not make selections during this period, you and any eligible dependents will be required to go through the late applicant process and may be subject to benefit restrictions or denial of coverage.

Changes to Your Coverage

Submitting a Claim

Pacific Blue Cross now offers the direct pay option at your pharmacist. Just give them your BlueCard and your portion of the drug cost is all you will pay at the register. For all other claims (ie. paramedical such as chiropractor, etc.), you will need to submit an Extended Health Claim to Pacific Blue Cross to receive your reimbursement. It’s always a good idea to keep original receipts and copies of your completed claim forms. Most dentists bill Pacific Blue Cross directly. Check with your dentist prior to receiving any treatments.

It is possible that you or your dependents may require emergency medical treatment while travelling outside your province of residence.

In such a case, the Medical Services Plan of B.C. would cover a portion of the cost and, generally speaking, the extended health benefits plan would pay for all or a portion of the cost of out-of province emergency eligible medical expenses only. Expenses incurred while out of country or province must be paid for by you first and then submitted for reimbursement upon your return.

Group Life Insurance

Basic Life Insurance is a mandatory benefit and provides coverage of three times your annual earnings. For Teachers on Call who have opted for this benefit, coverage is for $10,000.00

Basic life insurance is payable in the event of your death before age 70 or retirement from the School District, whichever is earlier. It is payable in a lump sum to your beneficiary.

Living Life Insurance Benefit

There is a Compassionate Assistance Program which you can apply for if you are suffering from a terminal illness where death will occur within 24 months. The Program provides a means for you, with the approval of the School District, to apply to borrow money from the life insurance provider on the security of your basic life insurance.

The maximum loan available under this program is the lesser of 50% of your life insurance coverage or $50,000. The amount of the loan plus interest is paid out of your life insurance benefit proceeds.

Critical Illness Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance is available through the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) voluntary group insurance program. It provides critical illness protection for the amount of coverage you wish to purchase on yourself and/or your spouse. Optional life insurance is available $25,000 units up to a maximum coverage of $250,000 per employee and spouse.

Conversion Privilege

If your coverage terminates prior to age 65, you may, within 31 days of termination, convert your group life insurance, without a medical examination, to one of a number of individual life insurance policies available from the insurance company.

Optional Life Insurance

Optional Life and Spousal Optional Life is available through the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) voluntary group insurance program. It provides life insurance protection for the amount of coverage you wish to purchase on yourself and/or your spouse.Optional life insurance is available $10,000 units up to a maximum coverage of $500,000 per employee and spouse.

Optional dependent life insurance is available to your dependent children in $5,000 units.

The cost is a calculation based on amount, age, and whether the insured is a non-smoker. The premium is paid for 100% by the employee.

Accidental Death, Disease and Dismemberment

If you are under 70 and participating in the BCTF optional life insurance plan, you may purchase any amount of optional accidental death & dismemberment insurance you desire in multiples of $10,000 (minimum of $10,000; maximum of $500,000). The premium is paid for 100% by the employee.

You may choose to participate in the family plan which provides coverage for your spouse/partner and dependent children.

We all need a little help from time to time. You can find support through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential counselling service that can help you or your family members with any personal problem, big or small, that affects your family life, your work life or your general well-being. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are absent due to illness or injury it is your responsibility to notify your Manager/Principal immediately, to log your absence using the Automated Dispatch System and to complete the required paperwork.

Short Term Salary Indemnity Plan

The short-term salary indemnity plan provides you with short-term disability coverage on the first teaching day after the expiry of your sick leave allowance. The plan is administered by the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF). This plan provides a benefit of 50% of salary for up to 120 work days per disability, payable after the expiration of sick leave benefits.

While on this plan, the employee is responsible 20% for all benefit premiums.

Application for Short Term Salary Indemnity Plan is requested by email or by calling ext. 1273.

Long Term Disability

The long-term salary indemnity plan provides you with partial income continuance after your sick leave and short-term salary indemnity benefits are exhausted. Long-term disability benefits continue until you cease to be disabled, reach age 65 or earn 35 years of pensionable service, whichever occurs first. The plan is provided by the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and administered by Great-West Life Assurance.

This plan provides a benefit of 65% of the first $2,803 of your monthly salary, plus 50% of the next $4,444 of your monthly salary, plus 40% of the balance, payable after the expiration of sick leave credits and the termination of short-term salary indemnity benefits.

While on this plan, the employee is responsible 100% for all benefit premiums.